PAVIA – After a spring marked by incessant rains, the winemakers of Oltrepò Pavese are preparing to request a state of calamity. The damage caused to crops by fungal diseases such as downy mildew is extensive, with losses in some cases reaching 100%.
The request, which will be officially presented to the Lombardy Region shortly, will then be forwarded to the Government for official recognition. The exact quantification of the damage is still ongoing, hindered by the lack or scarcity of phytosanitary treatments, made difficult by adverse weather conditions.
According to agronomists, downy mildew could have completely destroyed crops in just a few weeks between late May and early June. In other cases, the damage could be limited, but the situation is further aggravated by the low temperatures that have compromised the binding phase, the passage from flower to fruit, and caused the death of vines by asphyxiation in the valley floor areas.
In addition to viticulture, even lowland crops, such as rice and cereals, have suffered a significant delay in sowing, with the risk of a drop in the 2024 harvest. Among the requests made by the producers are exemptions for the use of pesticides and compensation for the losses suffered.
The situation, still evolving, does not allow for a definitive assessment of the damage. We will wait at least 15 days to have a clearer picture, also compatible with the climate trend, which could reserve further surprises. The regional councillor for Agriculture Alessandro Beduschi confirmed the Region’s commitment to supporting the affected producers, activating all necessary measures to deal with the emergency.
The event represents a hard blow to the economy of Oltrepò Pavese, where viticulture represents a driving sector. The hope is that the imminent recognition of the state of calamity can help agricultural companies to restart and overcome this difficult moment.
Photography: VIEX – Ernest Niedermann, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
